Metal boat hull



March 27, 1951 G. v. VENTURA METAL BOAT HULL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1948 I N V E N TO R Gerard V Ventura wfm ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 27, 1951 2,546,955 METAL some HULL Gerard V. Ventura, West Haven, Conn, assignmto Steelcraft Boats, Incorporated, a corporation of Connecticut Application March 17, 1948, Serial No. 15,429

This invention relates to metal boat hulls, and more particularly to theform and structure of the stem and bottom portions of a metal hull and these portions in combination with the side porticns thereof for use in the manufacture of various styles of cruisers to adapt them for operation at comparatively high speeds.

It is desirable that metal boats of the cruiser types, adapted to be driven at comparatively high speed, be provided with metal hulls of such form and structure as to insure smooth, economical, and safe performance in all weather and water conditions. It is also desirable that the structure of a metal boat hull be such that it may be completely formed, with its portions permanently secured together, as by welding, into an integral unit adapted to smoothly cut into the water at its stem and throw the water, close to the water level, outwardly and rearwardly at approximately midship, when driven at comparatively high speeds, whereby the boat itself will be exceptionally dry and be particularly seaworthy in operation.

One object of this invention is to provide a metal boat hull of such form and structure that the above referred to desiderata will be attained.

Another object is to provide an improved metal boat hull structure which is very strong, of comparatively light weight, readily controlled when in operation, and especially to manufacture economically.

A further object is to provide an improved metal boat which will be relatively simple in construction, readily assembled, of pleasing appearance, and very efficient and durable in-use.

With these and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, there hasbeen illustrated in the accompanying drawings one form in which the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

I Figure 1 is an underside view of a metal boat hull embodying the features and principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the metal boat hull shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged front View of the same;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken on the line B6 of Figure 2.

7 Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts through- 12 Claims. (01. 114 -79) out the various views, the reference numerals H and I2 denote the sides of the metal boat hull of this invention. The sides II and 12 are each formed of a single sheet of metal, preferably steel, and extend the entire length of the hull from the stem It to the transom plate It, at the stern E5. The transom plate it is made of one piece of sheet metal and extends across the stern from one side sheet to the other, the contacting edges of these sheets being overlapped and welded together. The forward edges of the side sheets l E and I2 are turned toward each other at the hull stem i3 and welded to each other and to a half round strip it. A forward deck it, also formed of metal, is provided and extends a desired amount aft from the stem It with its curled over side edges welded to the overlapping upper edges of the side sheets H and I2.

An aft deck !3 is provided and extends a desired amount forward from the stern $5 with its curled over side edges welded to the overlapping upper edges of the side sheets II and I2 and its rear edge welded to the upper edge of the transom plate I4. Side decks l9 and 20, also of metal, are provided and extend from the forward deck ll to the aft deck l8 along the side sheets 1 i and 12 respectively. The side decks l9 and 29 have their ends welded to the respective decks and have their curled over outer edges welded to the overlapping upper edges of therespective sheets H and H2. The curled over and overlapping welded joints at the outer edges of the decks and the upper edges of the hull side sheets II and I2 form a sheer rail 2i for the hull. The side sheets II and I2 bow outwardly a slight amount thus being convex in cross-section.

The bottom of the boat hull of this invention is preferably formed of two long sheets of metal, preferably steel, 22 and 23, and two relatively short sheets of metal 24 and 25 although two single sheets may be used if desired. It has been found, however, that a hull may be constructed more economically by using two pairs of sheets. The bottom sheets 22 and 23 extend forwardly from the stern IE to the stem [3 and for the greater part of their length have their outer edges overlapped by and welded to the sides It and 12 respectively. The aft end edges of the bottom sheets 22 and 23 are welded to the lower edge of the transom plate I 4. The inner edges of the bottom sheets 22 and 23 lie adjacent each other and are welded to each other and to spaced apart midship and aft keel strips 25 and 27 and a rearward extension of the half round strip [6, the rear end of which abuts the forward end of the keel strip 26. The bottom sheets 22 and 23 extend laterally from each other to form a V shape in cross-section, the included angle of said v shape being sharply acute at the hull stem 13 and flatly obtuse at the stern [5. From the stem is to the stern It: the bottom sheets "22 amaze, along their meeting edges, bow downwardly, this bcwedfshape being rather abrupt adjacent the stem [3 and gradually decreasing toward the stern. it, whereat it is substantially flat.

The relatively short bottom sheets 24 and 25 extend from the stem 53 rearwardly approximately one third the length of the hull and fill generally triangular spacestii and 29 cut from the respective bottom sheets 22 and 23 along the cu einedges of their forward portions. The up per edges 35 and 32 of the bottom sheets 24 and '25, respectively, are overlapped by and welded to the lower edges of the sides i l and i2 respectively and their lower edges are overlapped by and welded to bottom sheet upper edges 33 and 3 along the spaces 28 and 29, cut in the bottom sheets '22 and 23. The rear end edges 35 and 36 of the bottom sheets 24. and 25 are overlapped by and welded to the forwardly directed edges 3? and E8 of the spaces 28 and 29, cut in the bottom sheets 22 and 23. The bottom sheets 2d and 25 are generally triangular in shape with their apices as at the hull stem 53 and their bases t! forward of midship of the hull. The bottom sheets E i and 25 extend laterally in respect to each other in the form of a shallow V including an obtuse angle. The angle of these sheets, at their bases t 5, merge with the angle of the sheets 22 and 23 thus forming a continuous and smooth surface from above the water line WL, at the stem 53, to the stern it. The sheets 24 and 25 are also bowed downwardly and outwardly from the meetingpoint or the forward ends of the sheets 22 and 23 at the stem 23 to the rear ends of the sheets 2 and 25. The sheets of both bow transversely outwardly a slight amount thus being convex in cross-section.

The joints at the upper edges of the bottom sheets 22'. and 23 and 2d and 25 with the lower edges of the sides It and i2, respectively, are formed by overlapping the lower edges of the sides ii and i2 upon the upper edges of the bottom sheets. Starting at the stem It the surface :12 of the overlapped sheets is substantially in a vertical plane. This surface 22 then gradually twists from the vertical plane to a substantially horizontal plane approximately midship 43, and then upwardly to an inclined plane :14 at the stern E5. the bottom sh ets and the sides forms a shoulder, or chine, which extends from the hull stem i3, above the water line WL, the greater part of the length of the hull and acts as a spray rail to urge the water outwardly away from the hull and to raise the hull on the water, when it is being driven therethrough.

The bottom sheets 24 and 25 are disposed at substantially the same angle as the surfaces 42 of the edges of the sides i! and I2 whereby the sheets 24 and 25 greatly assist in directing the water outwardly at a small angle to the surface of the water, and in raising the hull bow, when the hull is being driven rapidly through the water. Due to the abrupt increase in width of the shoulders forward by the sheets 24 and 25 rearwardly, to where the angle of the same merges into the angle of the bottom sheets 22 and 23, the slight bow ware caused by the sharp bow is rapidly forced outwardly and rearwardly and the water This formation at the joints between thereof is spread outwardly and close to the water level, thus preventing it being sprayed onto, or into, the hull over the forward and side decks, and into the cockpit, or cabin.

The joints between the upper edges of the bottom sheets 22 and 23 at their forward portions, and the lower edges of the bottom sheets 24 and 25, are formed by inwardly offsetting the lower edges of the bottom sheets 2d and 25 to form an offset surface 45 upon which the upper edges 33 and 3 5 of the bottom sheets 22 and 23 are seated and to which these edges are welded. The rear end edges 35 and 36 of the bottom sheets 24, and 25 seat upon a similarly formed offset surfaces 46 provided on the edges 3? and 38 of the bottom sheets '22 and 23-. Adjacent the edges 33 and 34 of the bottom sheets 22 and 23, the metal is flared outwardly from alignment with the angle of the remainder on an appreciable are ll and then straightened to approximate the angle of the bottom sheets 2 and 25 where they overlap the oilset edge surfaces thereof.

The provision in a metal boat hull of bottom sheets 22 and 23 secured together at their abutting lengthwise edges and flared from each other at the hull stem 3 at an included sharp acute angle and extending rearwardly on a downwardly bowed arc, and being flared from each other forward of midship at an included. obtuse angle which gradually becomes shallower as these sheets approach the stern i5, insures a smooth cutting action of the hull stem upon the water through which the hull is driven. lhis structure also increases the seaworthiness oi the hull by starting to provide against side slip at the hull bow, due to the sharp acute angle at which the stern enters the water, thus increasing the ease by which the hull may be steered. By bowing the side sheets and the bottom sheets outwardly a slight amount, or slightly convex in cross-section and results in a particularly strong hull, whereby no complete framing is required, cabin partitions, floor supporting strips, engine mounting beams, and deck beams being assembled to the complete hull, as shown and described in application Serial No. 742,868 filed April 21, 1947, being sufficient reinforcement for the type of boat desired.

The provision of the bottom sheets 2% and 25 arranged at an obtuse angle to each other and extending from the edges of the cut portions 28 and 29 of the bottom sheets 22 and 23 to the lower edges of the sides 5 i and 62, provide downwardly facing shoulders which extend from above the water line at the stem i3 rearwardly to a point short of midship, and which bow downwardly and rearw-ardly, and rapidly increase in width toward their rear ends. The disclosed form of shoulders gradually engage the water at the water line and increasingly force it outwardly and directed close to the water level, thus preventing it being sprayed upwardly and over the boat decks and resulting in an exceptionally dry boat duringits operation.

While there has been shown and described herein a preferred form of the invention, it will be understood that the novel features and principles of this invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not re strictive, reference being had to the claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus fully disclosed the invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

1. A metal boat hull having a stem and a stern comprising single piece metal side sheets extending from stem to stern, the forward ends of said side sheets being connected together, a transom plate at the hull stern, the rear ends of said side sheets being connected to said transom plate, a hull bottom comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending from the hullstem to its stern with their rear ends connected to said transom plate and their forwardends connected together at the hull stem, said first pair of bottom sheets being connected together along the centerline of the hull and flaring laterally apart at an acute angle at the hull stem and at a shallow obtuse angle at the stern of the hull, the upper edge of said first pair of bottom sheets from the hull stern to a point forward of midship being connected to the lower edges of said hull side sheets, said first pair of bottom sheets being cut away from a point forward of midship to the hull stem, and a second pair of bottom sheets disposed b tween the first pair where cut away and the side sheets with their edges connected to the respective edges of the side sheets and to the bottom sheets of the first pair.

2. A metal boat hull having a stem and a stern comprising single piece metal side sheets extending from stem to stern, the forward ends of said side sheets being connected together, a transom plate at the hull stern, the rear ends of said side sheets being connected to said transom plate, a hull bottom comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending from the hull stem to its stern with their rear ends connected to said transom plate and their forward ends connected together at the hull stem, said first pair of bottom sheets being connected together along the centerline of the hull and flaring laterally apart at an acute angle at the hull stem and at a shallow obtuse angle at the stern of the hull, the upper edges of said first pair of bottom sheets from the hull stern to a point forward of midship connected to the lower edges of said hull side sheets, said first pair of bottom sheets being cut away from a point forward of midship to the hull stem, and a second pair of bottom sheets disposed between the first pair where cut away and the side sheets with their edges connected to the respective edges of the side sheets and to the bottom sheets of the first pair, said second pair of bottom sheets upwardly flaring apart at an included obtuse angle.

3. A metal boat hull having a stem and a stern comprising single piece metal side sheets extending from stem to stern, the forward ends of said side sheets being connected together, atransom plate at the hull stern, the rear ends of said side sheets being connected to said transom plate, a hull bottom comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending from the hull stem to its stern with their rear ends connected to said transom plate and their forward ends connected together at the hull stem, said first pair of bottom sheets being connected together along the centerline of the hull and flaring laterallyapart at an acute angle at the hull stem and at a shallow obtuse angle at the stern of the hull, the upper edges of said first pair of bottom sheets from the hull to a point forward of midship being connected to the lower edges of said hull side sheets, said first pair of bottom sheets being cut away from a point forward of midship to the hull stem, and a second pair of bottom sheets disposed between the first 6 pair where cut away and the side sheets, with their edges connected to the respective edges of the side sheets and to the bottom sheets of the first pair, the acute angle at the hull bow formed 7 extending from the hull stem to its stern with their rear ends connected to saidtransom plate and their forward ends connected together, said first pair of bottom sheets-being connected together along the centerline of the hull and flaring laterally apart at an acute angle at the hull stem and at a shallow obtuse angle at the stern of the hull, the upper edges of said first pair of bottom sheets from the hull stern to a point forward of midship being connected to the lower edges of said hull side sheets, said first pair of bottom sheets being cut away from a point forwardof midship t0 the hull stem, and a second pair of bottom sheets disposed between the first pair where cut away and the side sheets, with their edges connected to the respective edges of the side sheets and to the bottom sheets of the first pair, the acute angle at the hull bow formed by the first pair of bottom sheets merging into the obtuse angle at the hull stern substantially at the point forward of midship where the second pair of bottom sheets terminate, said second pair of bottom sheets upwardly flaring apart at an included obtuse angle and merging into the obtuse angle of the first pair of bottom sheets Where the second pair of bottom sheets terminate.

5. A metal boat hull having a stem and a stern comprising single piece metal side sheets extend ing from stem to stern, the forward ends of said side sheets being connected together, a transom plate at the hull stern, the rear ends of said side sheets being connected to said transom plate, a hull bottom comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending from the hull stem to its stern with their rear ends connected to said transom plate and their forward ends connected together, said first pair of bottom sheets being connected together along the centerline of the hull and meeting the forward ends of the side sheets above the normal water line of the hull, said first pair of sheets flaring laterally apart at an acute angle at the hull stem and at a shallow obtuse angle at the stern of the hull, the upper edges of said first pair of bottom sheets from the hull stern to a point forward of midship being connected to the lower edges of said hull side sheets,said first pair of bottom sheets being cut away from a point forward of midship to the hull stem, and a second pair of bottom sheets disposed between the first pair where cut away and the side sheets with their edges connected to the respective edges of the side sheets and to the bottom sheets of the first pair and extending forwardly into meeting relation with the forward ends of the first pair of bottom sheets above the normal water line of the hull.

6. A metal boat hull having a stem and a stern comprising single piece metal side sheets extending from stem to stern, the forward ends of said side sheets being connected together, a transom plate, at the hull stern, the rear ends ofsaid side sheets being connected to said transom plate, a hull bottom comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending from the hull stem to its stern with the rear ends connected to said transom plate and their forward ends connected together, said first pair of bottom sheets being connected. together along the centerline of the hull, and curved upwardly into meeting relation with the forward ends of the side sheets above the normal water line of the hull, and fiaring laterally apart at an acute angle at the hull stem and at a shallow obtuse angle at the stern of the hull, the upper edges of said first pair of bottom sheets from the hull stern to a point forward of midship being connected to the lower edges of said hull side sheets, said first pair of bottom sheets being cut away from a point forward of midship to the hull stem, and a second pair of bottom sheets disposed between the first pair where cut away and the side sheets, with their edges connected to the respective edges of the side sheets and to the bottom sheets of the first pair, and being curved upwardly and forwardly intomeeting relation with the forward ends of the first pair of sheets above the normal water line of the hull.

'7. A metal boat hull having a stem and a stern comprising single piece metal side sheets extend from stem to stern, the forward ends or said side sheets being connected together, a transom plate, at the hull stern, the rear ends of said side sheets being connected to said transom plate, a hull bottom comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending from the hull stem to its stern with their rear ends connected to said transom plate and their forward ends connected together. said first pair of bottom sheets being connected together along the centerline of the hull and flaring laterally apart at an acute angle at the hull stem and at a shallow obtuse angle at the stern of the hull, the upper edges of said first pair of bottom sheets from the hull stern to a point forward of midship being connected to the lower edges of said hull side sheets, said first pair of bottom sheets being cut away from a point forward of midship to the hull stem, and a second pair of bottom sheets disposed between the first pair where cut away and the side sheets, with their edges connected to the respective edges of the side sheets and to the bottom sheets of the first pair, the acute angle at the hull bow formed by the first pair of bottom sheets merging into the obtuse angle at the hull stern substantially at the point forward of midship where the second pair of bottom sheets terminate, said second pair of bottom sheets upwardly flaring apart at an included obtuse angle and merging into the ob tuse angle of the first pair of bottom sheets where the second pair of bottom sheets terminate, the bottom edges of said side sheets being bent inwardly to overlap the upper edges of said second pair of bottom sheets at an angle substantially the same at the angle of said second pair of bottom sheets.

3. A metal boat hull having a stem and a stern comprising single piece metal side sheets extending from stem to stern, the forward ends of said side sheets being connected together, a transom plate at the hull stern, the rear ends of said side sheets being connected to said transom plate, a

hull bottom comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending from the hull stem to its stern with their rear ends connected to said transom plate and their forward ends connected together, said first pair of bottom sheets being connected together along the centerline of the hull and flaring laterally apart at an acute angle at the hull stem and at a shallow obtuse angle at the stern of the hull, the upper edges of said first pair of bottom sheets from the hull stern to a point forward of midship being connected to the lower edges of said hull side sheets, said first pair of bottom sheets being cut away from a point forward of midship to the hull stem, and a second pair of bottom sheets disposed between the first pair where cut away and the side sheets with their edges connected to the respective edges of the side sheets and to the bottom sheets of the first pair, the acute angle at the hull bow formed by the first pair of bottom sheets merging into the obtuse angle at the hull stern substantially at the point forward of midship where the second pair of bottom sheets terminate, said second pair of bottom sheets upwardly flaring apart at an included obtuseangle and merging into the obtuse angle of the first pair of bottom sheets where the second pair of bottom sheets terminate, the bottom edges of said side sheets being bent inwardly to overlap the upper edges of said first and second pairs of bottom sheets to forma spray rail, the angle of such bend along the edges of said second pair of bottom sheets being substantially the same as the angle of said sheets. 9. A metal boat hull having a stem and a stern comprising single piece metal side sheets extending from stem to stern, the forward ends of said side sheets being connected together, a transom plate at the hull stern, the rear ends of said side sheets being connected to said transom plate, a hull bottom comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending from the hull stem to its stem with their rear ends connected to said transom plate and their forward ends connected together, said first pair of bottom sheets being connects together along the centerline of the hull and flaring laterally apart at an acute angle at the stern of the hull, the upper edges of said first pair of bottom sheets from the hull stern to a point forward of midship being connected to the lower edges of said hull side sheets, said first pair of bottom sheets being cut away from a point forward of midship to the hull stem, and a second pair of bottom sheets disposed between the first pair where cut away and the side sheets with their edges connected to the respective edges of the side sheets and to the bottom sheets of the first pair, said second pair of bottom sheets being substantially pointed at their forward ends and increasing in width toward their rear ends.

10. A metal boat hull bottom section comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending the full length of the hull bottom and being connected together along their meeting edges at the center line of the hull, said first pair of bottom sheets being upwardly flared apart in substantially V form in cross-section with the V form at the hull bow including a relatively sharp acute angle and at the hull stern including a relatively shallow obtuse angle, said first pair of sheets being out away from their bow end rearwardly to a terminating point forward of midship to form a triangular space pointed at the bow and broad at its terminating point, and a second pair of bottom sheets fiared apart to include an obtuse angle fitted into the said spaces and connected to said first pair of bottom sheets.

11. A metal boat hull bottom section comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending the full length of the hull bottom and being connected together along their meeting edges at the center line of the hull, said first pair of bottom sheets being upwardly flared apart in substantially V form in cross-section with the V form at the hull bow including a relatively sharp acute angle and at the hull stern including a relatively shallow obtuse angle, said first .pair of sheets being cut away from their bow end rearwardly to a terminating point forward of midship to form a triangular space pointed at the bow and broad at its terminating point, and a second pair of bottom sheets flared apart to include an obtuse angle fitted into the said spaces and connected to said first pair of bottom sheets, the lower and the rear end edges of said second pair of sheets being ofiset inwardly to receive the upper and the forwardly directed edges of the first pair of sheets about the space cut therefrom, whereby the outer surfaces of said sheets at the said jointures will be in alignment.

12. A metal boat hull bottom section comprising a first pair of metal sheets extending the full length of the hull bottom and being connected together along their meeting edges at the center line of the hull, said first pair of bottom sheets being upwardly flared apart in substantially V form in cross-section with the V form at the hull bow including a relatively sharp acute angle and at the hull stern including a relatively shallow obtuse angle, said first pair of sheets being cut REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 867,654 Golden Oct. 8, 1907 1,505,113 Warnock Aug. 19, 1924 1,782,422 Holbrook Nov. 25, 1930 1,823,986 Pritchard Sept. 22, 1931 2,249,958 Inwood July 22, 1941 2,322,160 Schlagel June 15, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 306,676 Great Britain Feb. 28, 1929 

